All states have “implied consent” laws that stipulate that by having a driver’s license, you consent to taking a chemical test to determine whether you’re impaired by alcohol and/or drugs if a law enforcement officer stops you. Often, this is a Breathalyzer-type test...
Accomplished Law Firm In Clinton, Sedalia, Windsor And Warsaw, Missouri
Criminal Defense
How will a Missouri DWI affect your drivers’ license?
Whether you plead guilty or go to court and get convicted, driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Missouri means big penalties. You could go to jail or wind up on probation. You will probably have to pay a fine and deal with higher insurance costs. You will also very...
Supreme Court ruling puts an end to warrantless intrusions over minor crimes
How much right do the police have to follow you into your home if they’re pursuing you over something minor -- like a misdemeanor traffic offense or another low-level crime? None at all, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. What the U.S. Supreme Court has to say about...
You cannot ignore the risks of a first-time DWI charge
When someone breaks the law, they face arrest if they get caught and criminal consequences if the state successfully prosecutes them. Certain offenses seem more serious to the average person than others. Violent offenses like assault could seem more severe than...
Can you refuse a breath test during a DWI traffic stop?
You probably know that police officers who pull you over because they suspect that you are driving while intoxicated (DWI) hope to build a case against you. The officers will talk to you and try to gather evidence so that they can arrest you and then prosecutors can...
Is there an interaction between coffee and alcohol?
If you’ve ever been too drunk to drive and noted that you wanted to sober up quickly, odds are that someone told you to buy a cup of coffee. They may have even repeated the common refrain that caffeine can sober you up and make driving safe. Is that true? Simply put,...
What leads to a DUI stop? Reasonable suspicion
Police officers need to have a reason to pull over a vehicle. They can't initiate a traffic stop just because they feel like bothering someone. In the case of a drunk driving stop, the officer will usually only need to have reasonable suspicion to initiate the stop. ...